Research Security Partnership: Building Capacity for Transparent and Safe Collaboration (PDS-STGO-NOFO-FY26-001)

Research Security Partnership: Building Capacity for Transparent and Safe Collaboration (PDS-STGO-NOFO-FY26-001) is sponsored by U.S. Department of State - U.S. Embassy Santiago, Public Diplomacy Section. This opportunity from the U. S.

Embassy in Santiago, Chile, announces an open competition to implement a program to train Chilean researchers, academics, project analysts, and legislators on research integrity and security.

## Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) **Santiago-Chile, Department of State** **Opportunity number: PDS-STGO-NOFO-FY26-001** **Application deadline: July 6, 2026** ##### **_1.

_****_Overview_** Funding Opportunity Title Research Security Partnership: Building Capacity for Transparent and Safe Collaboration Funding Opportunity Number PDS-STGO-NOFO-FY26-001 Announcement Type Initial announcement Deadline for Applications July 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM Chilean Standard Time (CLT) Assistance Listing Number 19.

040 – Public Diplomacy Programs Length of performance period 17 to 24 months Number of awards anticipated 1 award Award amounts Awards may range from a minimum of $30,000 to a maximum of $70,000 (approximately) Total available funding$70,000 pending availability of funds Type of Funding FY26 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated project start date September 25, 2026 **Funding Instrument Type:** Grant **Project Performance Period**: Proposed projects should be completed in 24 months or less.

**This notice is subject to availability of funding. **The Public Diplomacy Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. government, pending the availability of funds and approval of the designated grants officer. ##### **_1.

_****_Executive Summary_** The U.S. Embassy Santiago, Public Diplomacy Section, announces an open competition to implement a program to train on research integrity and security for Chilean researchers, academics, project analysts and legislators.

As Chile increasingly partners with foreign entities for research collaboration and investments, the country needs robust mechanisms to protect sensitive research data and intellectual property. This vulnerability poses risks to Chile’s reputation as a reliable research partner and to U.S. national security interests, particularly when U.S. institutions collaborate with Chilean counterparts.

This program aims to develop and deliver a comprehensive training curriculum based on U.S. best practices in data protection, ethical research collaboration, and safeguarding sensitive information in international partnerships. The program will be piloted with a leading Chilean institution, such as a major university or the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), establishing a sustainable and replicable model.

A critical component will be collaboration with U.S. universities, which may include training local implementers in the United States, bringing U.S. professors to Chile to co-deliver content, or co-creating curriculum materials. This approach ensures knowledge transfer, fosters long-term institutional partnerships, and builds local capacity.

Target audiences include Chilean researchers, project analysts, academics, legislators, government officials, think tank researchers, and business sector representatives involved in research partnerships.

This program advances U.S. foreign policy by strengthening Chile as a secure research partner, protecting U.S. investments and intellectual property, countering malign foreign influence, promoting transparency and accountability, and enhancing bilateral science and technology cooperation. **Please follow all instructions below. ** ##### **_1.

_****_Eligible Applicants_** The following organizations are eligible to apply _:_ * Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations * Public and private educational institutions (universities, research centers) * Professionals related to research, science or higher education For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are **not** eligible to apply for this NOFO.

Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. For more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2 CFR 200.

331. Applications that demonstrate partnership between Chilean and U.S. institutions are strongly encouraged. Partnerships should clearly delineate roles, responsibilities and contributions of each partner.

##### **_2. _****_Cost Sharing or Matching_** Cost sharing or matching is encouraged, but not required for this funding opportunity. ##### **_3.

_****_Other Eligibility Requirements_** All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM. gov as well as a valid registration in SAM. gov. Please see Section E.

3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM. gov. Applicants are allowed to submit only one proposal per organization.

If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding under this funding opportunity. **_4.

This opportunity will not support:_** * Projects relating to partisan political activity; * Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support * Projects that support specific religious activities; * Fund-raising campaigns; * Lobbying for specific legislation or programs * Scientific research or surveys; * Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; * Projects that duplicate existing projects; ##### **_1.

_****_Project Background, Goals, and Objectives_** Chile is a growing partner for international research and investment in areas of strategic significance to the United States, including astronomy, energy, mining, biotechnology, and Antarctica. Chile’s solid democracy, expanding science community, and strategic location attract international projects seeking a regional hub.

Research institutions including universities, think tanks, and astronomical observatories host and sponsor dozens of research projects undertaken by foreign entities, students, and investigators. However, these collaborations bring risks regarding research integrity, security, and protection of sensitive technologies.

While Chile is advancing on data security issues, many institutions are still learning to establish clear processes for identifying and managing research risks. Formal evaluation processes have gaps, and general awareness about relevant due diligence to ensure scientific research is conducted soundly for legitimate applications remains limited.

Beyond declaring methods and procedures for data gathering, little attention is paid to analysis and interpretation, transparency of results, applications of findings, long-term implications, non-academic elements, affiliations and backgrounds of researchers, beneficiaries, and the public good.

If unaddressed, consistent failure to identify and address these vulnerabilities could affect both Chile and its international partners, especially in sensitive research projects. Awareness and training on research integrity, security, and related risks remains limited in Chile. Researchers, project managers, and policymakers lack practical tools or clear guidance to identify and manage these risks in their day-to-day work.

Without shared frameworks or common standards, preventing problems like intellectual property loss, unauthorized technology transfer, dual use of scientific installations, or misuse of research results become increasingly difficult.

**Program Goals and Objectives** This effort aims to strengthen research integrity frameworks within Chilean research institutions by building capacity to identify, assess, and mitigate research security risks while promoting transparent, ethical scientific collaboration that serves the public good and protects sensitive technologies.

The program will enhance research security awareness among Chilean research administrators, principal investigators, and institutional review boards by educating them on U.S. research security frameworks and best practices.

Participants will develop understanding of risks including intellectual property theft, unauthorized technology transfer, conflicts of interest, and foreign interference, with particular attention to dual-use research concerns in sensitive fields.

The program will stimulate institutional capacity-building for risk assessment by introducing U.S. approaches for conducting comprehensive due diligence on research partnerships, funding sources, applications, and collaborators. This includes developing protocols for vetting foreign researchers, students, and visiting scholars, and establishing processes to evaluate research proposals for security sensitivities and potential misuse.

The program will strengthen research integrity standards by promoting transparent data management, analysis, and reporting practices; encouraging clear documentation of research methodologies, findings, and intended applications; and fostering accountability regarding research beneficiaries and public benefit.

Furthermore, the program will establish peer networks among Chilean institutions for sharing best practices and lessons learned and identify U.S. champions who can support sustaining and expanding these practices beyond the program’s duration. These frameworks will be tailored to Chilean institutional contexts while aligning with international research security standards, ensuring they remain practical and implementable.

This program addresses existing vulnerabilities by offering practical, hands-on training. Participants will learn how to assess risks, apply research integrity principles, and employ concrete protective measures in evaluating and undertaking projects.

Building local capacity will make international research in Chile more transparent and safer, enhance protections for scientific investments, and strengthen security cooperation between Chile and the United States over the long term. This program will create a practical training curriculum and tools on research integrity and security to be piloted by a leading Chilean higher education or research institution.

By engaging actors across Chile’s research system and featuring U.S. experts, it will connect American and Chilean professionals. The program will generate concrete products including training materials, policy templates, and risk assessment tools that institutions can continue using after the program ends and will encourage follow-up activities and continued capacity-building.

The U.S. Embassy in Santiago has supported several science-related programs, including Fulbright exchanges, workshops on intellectual property protections and countering misuse of emerging technology, and partnerships between U.S. and Chilean researchers. This program builds on those efforts by developing strong institutional partnerships for lasting results.

It incorporates best practices including a training curriculum with case studies and practical exercises adapted to the Chilean context while aligning with international standards, and involving varied groups—researchers, government officials, private sector representatives, and policymakers—to create broader change.

**Advancing U.S. Foreign Policy** This program supports U.S. foreign policy goals by protecting U.S. research investments and intellectual property in collaborative projects with Chile; making Chile a more reliable and trustworthy research partner; countering malign foreign influence in Chile’s research ecosystem; making scientific collaboration more transparent and accountable; and, strengthening bilateral cooperation in science and technology.

Success will include a pilot training that demonstrates clear improvements in participant knowledge and capabilities; increased awareness about vulnerabilities among Chilean policymakers; a training curriculum and tools on research integrity and security adapted for Chile; improved partnership between Chilean and U.S. research and academic institutions; and, formulation of a sustainable model that other institutions can replicate.

Upon completion, Chilean research institutions should begin adopting formal processes for evaluating research partnerships and identifying potential risks, reducing vulnerabilities in sensitive research areas of mutual interest and strengthening the foundation for secure, ethical, and productive long-term research collaboration between the United States and Chile.

* Researchers and academics in critical fields such as astronomy, energy, mining, biotechnology and artificial intelligence * Project analysts and research administrators, tech transfer and intellectual property offices of universities * Legislators and policy advisors * Government officials from the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) * Think-tank researchers and policy analysts * Private sector representatives * Relevant alumni of U.S. exchange programs, such as Fulbright or IVLP To strengthen Chile’s ability to protect research integrity and to build secure, transparent international research partnerships that align with U.S. priorities on research security and bilateral scientific cooperation.

Objective 1: Curriculum Development.

Preliminary curriculum contents: * Creating and enhancing collaboration frameworks * The roles of general counsel, IP offices, technology transfer offices and compliance offices * Intersection of IP in export control and research security * Case studies on collaboration agreements and national frameworks for collaboration * Ownership models for co-developed IP and data * Judging risk associated with dual-use potential research and IP * Risks of collaboration/research with China and other nations of concern * Case studies on IP theft from academic and corporate labs * Cybersecurity and data protection in R&D labs * Global trends in S&T cooperation * Decision-making matrix to mitigate risks in research projects Objective 2: By September 30, 2027, train at least 70 participants, including researchers, administrators, and legislators.

At least 50% of participants will show measurable improvement in knowledge, with an average increase of 30 percentage points between pre- and post-training surveys. Objective 3: Enhance institutional research partnership between U.S. and Chile.

By September 30, 2027, support the establishment of at least three formal partnerships between U.S. universities and Chilean research institutions focused on research integrity and security collaboration.

At least two joint activities (such as co-delivered training sessions, curriculum co-development workshops, or faculty exchanges) will be completed during the program period, with participants from both countries reporting increased collaboration and knowledge sharing. Objective 4: Ensure that training materials and tools can continue to be used after the program ends, supporting long-term capacity building.

By September 30, 2027, develop and deliver a complete, replicable training package including curriculum materials, case studies, policy templates, and risk assessment tools. At least one Chilean institution will commit to offering the training independently within 12 months of program completion. The training materials will be made available to at least five additional Chilean research institutions by the end of the program period.

Objective 5: Policy Awareness. By September 30, 2027, increase awareness of research security vulnerabilities among at least 15 Chilean policymakers and government officials from key agencies including the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID). **_Substantial Involvement:_**This award will be in the form of a grant.

## Application Contents and Format Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

**Content of Application** * The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity * All documents are in English * All budgets are in U.S. dollars * All applicant authorized signatures are provided where indicated on the various, required forms. The following documents are **required**: ##### _1. Mandatory application for_ _ms (all Templates available at Embassy website.)

_ * SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals) at gov or Embassy website. * SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at gov or Embassy website. * SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at gov or Embassy website.

(note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals, organizations exempt from registration, and for organizations not required to fully register in SAM. gov) ##### **_2. _****_Proposal (8 pages maximum)_** The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do.

You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below. * **Proposal Summary:**Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.

* **Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying**: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the State Department and/or U.S. government agencies as well as experience with and expertise in areas related to those described in the NOFO.

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to use the attached Applicant Organization Information Survey form to provide this information Applicant Organization Information (AOI) Survey (1). docx. If the applicant chooses not to use the attached form, all of the requested information from the form will still need to be addressed in the application package.

* **Problem Statement:**Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed * **Program Methods, Design, Activities, and Deliverables:**The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. * **Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline:**The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

* **Key Personnel:**Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program? * **Project Partners:** List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees (if applicable).

* **Future Funding or Sustainability**Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. * **Monitoring & Evaluation Plan:** Proposals must include a draft Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). The M&E PMP should show how applicants intend to measure and demonstrate progress towards the project’s objectives and goals.

Monitoring-and-Evaluation-Template. docx of this funding opportunity contains a template that may be used to fulfill this requirement. While the grantee is free to create their own template, completing Monitoring-and-Evaluation-Template.

docx will ensure a thorough PMP. The key components to the PMP are as follows: * **Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative**: In narrative form, applicants should describe how they intend to monitor and evaluate the activities of their award.

In addition, the applicant should describe any M&E processes, including key personnel, management structure (where M&E fits into the overall program’s staff structure), technology, and as well provide a brief budget narrative explaining any line-item expenditures for M&E listed in the program’s budget.

If the proposal is from a prior grantee, the proposal discusses how the grantee has adapted, improved or otherwise modified their approach based on learning from previous experience. This narrative is limited to two pages. * **Theory of Change Diagram:** Applicants are expected to submit either a Theory of Change diagram or an If-Then Statement that illustrates how project activities will lead to intended outcomes.

Program Design and Performance Toolkit. pdf includes a suggested format for these requirements. * **Monitoring and Evaluation Datasheet:** The applicant must include their proposed activities and their expected outputs and outcomes as well as the goals and objectives as written in the NOFO.

The datasheet’s purpose is to explicitly illustrate how a project’s activities lead to tangible results (such as increased beneficiary skills, knowledge, or attitudes) that ultimately address a PDS objective. For more information, please see 3-Monitoring_Plan_and_Indicator_Tracking_Table. xlsx : Instructions.

* The selected applicant’s M&E PMP is subject to review and approval before any award will be issued under this NOFO. The selected applicant will be required to work with the Public Diplomacy Section’s Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to ensure the applicant’s M&E PMP achieves an expected level of expertise and meets PDS objectives. * Expenses directly associated with monitoring and evaluation are considered allowable.

The suggested template includes a space to list the portion of the total budget amount directly associated with monitoring and evaluation activities. ##### **_3. _****_Budget Justification Narrative_** * **Detailed Budget** – Applicants must submit a detailed line-item budget.

Applicants are encouraged to utilize the template provided with the funding opportunity but are not required to do so Proposal Template. docx. Line-item expenditures should be listed in the greatest possible detail.

The budget must identify the total amount of funding requested, with a breakdown of amounts to be spent in the following budget categories: personnel; fringe benefits; travel; equipment; supplies; consultants/contracts; other direct costs; and indirect costs. See Annex Section I for a description of the types of costs that should be included in each category.

Personnel salaries should include the level of effort and the rate of pay, which should cover the percentage of time each staff member will dedicate to grant-based activities. If an organization is charging an indirect cost rate without a NICRA, it must apply it to the modified total budget costs (MTDC), refer to 2CFR))200. 1)).

**Budgets shall be submitted in U.S. dollars** and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars. * **Budget Justification Narrative** – Applicants must submit a budget justification narrative to accompany the detailed line-item budget.

The purpose of the budget justification narrative is to supplement the information provided in the detailed budget spreadsheet by justifying how the budget cost elements are necessary to implement project objectives and accomplish the project goals.

The budget justification narrative is a tool to help Embassy staff fully understand the budgetary needs of the applicant and is an opportunity to provide descriptive information about the requested costs beyond the constraints of the budget template.

Together, the detailed budget spreadsheet, the budget justification narrative, and the SF-424A should provide a complete financial and qualitative description that supports the proposed project plan and should be directly relatable to the specific project components described in the applicant’s proposal.

* Awards to Individuals: Please note the following budget guidelines for the Individual Award: * Salary/Honoraria: Only the award recipient may receive salary/honoraria from this funding mechanism. The Recipient must be the primary point of contact and manage all programmatic activities. * Other Direct Costs: Expenses related to securing venues, managing logistics, catering, etc. are allowable.

* Audit Requirements: Please note the audit requirements for Department of State awards in the Standard Terms and Conditions https://www. state. gov/m/a/ope/index.

htm and 2CFR200, Subpart F – Audit Requirements. The cost of the required audits may be charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award OR included in the organization’s established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget. * Visa Fees: Include all visa application and related fees in your budget as applicable.

Please note DS-2019s for post-funded programs must be submitted directly by the award recipient. If you anticipate your program will include the DS-2019 visa processing, your organization must be a registered Designated Sponsoring Organization. For more information go to: https://j1visa.

state. gov/sponsors/become-a-sponsor/ ##### **_4. _****_Attachments_** * **Key Personnel Resumes**: A résumé, not to exceed one page in length, must be included for the proposed key staff persons, such as the Project Director and Finance Officer, as well as any speakers or trainers (if applicable).

If an individual for this type of position has not been identified, the applicant may submit a 1-page position description, identifying the qualifications and skills required for that position, in lieu of a résumé. * **Letters of support from program partners:** Letters of support should be included for sub-recipients or other partners.

The letters must identify the type of relationship to be entered into (formal or informal), the roles and responsibilities of each partner in relation to the proposed project activities, and the expected result of the partnership. The individual letters cannot exceed 1 page in length.

* **Indirect Costs**: If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included in the application submission.

* **Proof of Non-profit Status:**Documentation to demonstrate the applicant’s non-profit status (e.g., U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Service determination letter, and non-U.S. organizations should provide evidence of non-profit status issued by a government entity). * **Proof of Registration:** A copy of the organization’s registration should be provided with the proposal application.

U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS determination letter. Chile-based organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization. Other items NOT required/requested with the application submission, but which _may_ be requested if your application is approved to move forward in the review process include: 1.

Copies of an organization or program audit within the last two (2) years 2. Copies of relevant human resources, financial, or procurement policies 3. Copies of other relevant organizational policies or documentation that would help the Department determine your organization’s capacity to manage a federal grant award overseas 4.

Documentation that demonstrates the recipients’ plan and/or policy to safeguard PII of participants and beneficiaries. It is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure protection of personally identifiable information (PII) and safeguard PII when collecting, maintaining, using and disseminating such information 5.

Information to determine what financial controls and standard operating procedures an organization uses to procure goods and services, hire staff and track time and attendance, pay for grant-related travel, and identify other financial transactions that may be necessary to undertake the project activities 6. The Embassy reserves the right to request any additional programmatic and/or financial information regarding the proposal.

## Submission Requirements and Deadlines ##### **_1. _****_Address to Request Application Package_** Application forms required above are available at **embassy website. ** ##### **_2.

_****_Department of State Contacts_** If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: GrantsChile@state. gov. **Question Deadline:**For questions on this solicitation, please contact **GrantsChile _@state. gov_.

**Questions must be received on or before **06-29-2026**, at 11:59 p. m. , U.S. Eastern Time.

Applicants should not expect an email response to questions, as questions received before the deadline will be answered in a question-and-answer document and posted at **embassy website. ** ##### **_3. _****_Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.

gov)_** **Required Registration:**All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM. gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.

An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO. The 2 CFR 200 also requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI.

Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient. **_Note:The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM. gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks.

Please begin your registration as early as possible. _** * Organizations **based in the United States** or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.

gov. * Organizations **based outside of the United States** and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI prior to registering in SAM. gov. Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions: * Step 1: Proceed to SAM. gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.

gov registration process. gov registration must be renewed annually. An exemption from the UEI and sam.

gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25. 110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM. gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.

gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review. **Please note**: Any applicant with an exclusion in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp. , p.

189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp. , p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.

” ##### **_4. _****_Submission Dates and Times_** **Submission Deadline:**All applications must be received by July 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM Chilean Standard Time (CLT). For the purposes of determining if an award is submitted on time, PDS will utilize the timestamp established in the proposal email.

This deadline is firm and is not a rolling deadline. If organizations fail to meet the deadline noted above their application will be considered ineligible and will not be considered for funding. **Submission Method A**: Submitting all application materials directly to the following email address: GrantsChile@state.

gov . Applicants opting to submit applications via email toGrantsChile@state. gov**must** include the Funding Opportunity Title and Funding Opportunity Number in the subject line of the email.

##### **_5. _****_Funding Restrictions_** 1. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA): None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

2. Prohibition on Funding Activities that Encourage Mass-Migration Caravans towards the United States Southwest Border: None of the funds awarded under this grant may be made available to encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass-migration caravans towards the United States southwest border.

Funds may not be made available for legal counseling on the United States asylum process; and/or for referrals to legal representation in the United States. Funds may only be used for cash cards for use in the country in which they are provided or to facilitate assisted voluntary returns and other purposes that do not encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass migration caravans towards the United States southwest border.

The provision of humanitarian assistance is permitted. 3. Certification Regarding Compliance with Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws” If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award: 1.

1. Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and; 2. It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring. 4. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C.

1011f and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements: Applicants are advised that IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to IHEs: * 1.

Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds. 2.

Applicants seeking clarification on the reporting requirement are encouraged to review the Frequently Asked Questions resource developed by the U.S. Department of Education. 5.

Certification of Trafficking in Persons Compliance and Compliance Plan: Applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award for awards where the estimated value of services to be performed outside the United States exceeds $500,000: * To the best of the Recipient’s knowledge, neither the Recipient, nor any subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor of the Recipient or any agent of the recipient or of such a subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, is engaged in any of the activities described in 2 CFR 175.

105(a); * The recipient has implemented a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and is compliant with this plan; and the compliance plan must follow the minimum requirements described in 2 CFR 175(b)(5). * That the Recipient has and will